Can I collect from a sublet renter who agreed to rent but bailed the day she was to move in?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Can I collect from a sublet renter who agreed to rent but bailed the day she was to move in?

I had a renter agree to sublet a room I’ve vacated temporarily. I moved everything out and declined other interested parties, however, the day she was to move in she said she had changed her mind. It took a month to find a new candidate which cost me $600. Is there any way to painlessly and easily get that money? She’s completely unresponsive to requests to discuss it. She was supposed to pay first, last and pet deposit but unfortunately the landlord hadn’t collected it yet. The day she was to move in she brought a few things by. Then out of nowhere her boxes were gone and she emailed the landlord saying that she wasn’t moving in.

Asked on March 3, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Washington

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

If you had a portion of your rental subleased and the renter backed out after having an oral or written agreeemntfrom what you have written, you would have a legal and factual basis for suing her in small claims court for the $600 that you have written about.

I would write her a demand letter for the $600 requesting payment by a certain date. If not paid by then, small claims court is your option.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption